Anti-theft device and anti-theft method

The present invention relates to an anti-theft device and an anti-theft method that enable wireless communication between a portable device and an in-vehicle device in a vehicle electronic key system to start a vehicle engine.

Conventionally, there is an anti-theft device using an intelligent key system (electronic key system) that opens and closes a vehicle door and starts an engine. This is an electronic ID verification by two-way communication between the intelligent key and the intelligent key unit mounted on the vehicle when the occupant carries the ID-registered intelligent key and the occupant approaches within a predetermined area around the vehicle. Based on the result, it is possible to control the unlocking and start of the engine. For engine start control, when the ignition knob is pressed, ID verification is performed between the intelligent key and the intelligent key unit, and if the ID numbers match, the ignition knob rotation prohibition mechanism is released by the signal from the intelligent key unit. Then, the ignition knob can be rotated.

At the same time, the intelligent key unit sends an on signal to the starter inhibitor relay to make the starter motor ready to start. In this state, the occupant can start the engine by turning the ignition knob to the START position (engine starting position). Also, when the ignition knob is rotatable and the vehicle speed is 5 km / h or less, ID verification is performed between the intelligent key and the intelligent key unit every 30 seconds, and if the verification result is NG (the intelligent key cannot be found). In the case of), an alarm buzzer was sounded to inform that the intelligent key was not in the car.<nplcit num="1"><text>MARCH New model car manual Introduction of K12 type car D-25 ~ D-38 Date of issue February 2002 Publisher Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.</text></nplcit>

<p> However, such a conventional anti-theft device has a function of determining whether or not the engine can be started based on the ID verification executed when the ignition knob is pressed. For example, the intelligent key is carried after the engine is started. If the occupant leaves the vehicle, the alarm buzzer sounds that the intelligent key is not in the vehicle, but the engine is operating and the vehicle is left in a movable state, resulting in poor vehicle anti-theft performance. There was a problem such as.</p><p> Therefore, in view of these problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an anti-theft device and an anti-theft method having good anti-theft performance of a vehicle.</p>

<p> The present invention is an anti-theft device that enables wireless communication between a portable device and an in-vehicle device in an electronic key system for a vehicle to start the engine of the vehicle, and is a portable device in the vehicle by means for determining the existence of the portable device. If it is determined that there is no portable device, the operation of a predetermined device other than the engine is prohibited by the operation prohibition means.</p>

<p> According to the present invention, when there is no portable device in the vehicle, that is, when the occupant carrying the portable device is outside the vehicle, the operation is prohibited by prohibiting the operation of a predetermined device other than the engine by the operation prohibiting means. The predetermined device makes it difficult to move the vehicle, and the anti-theft performance of the vehicle can be improved.</p>

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to examples. Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the anti-theft device. An indoor antenna 2 used for wireless communication with the intelligent key 3 is connected to the intelligent key control unit 1 that intensively controls the anti-theft device in this embodiment. The intelligent key control unit 1 makes an ID request to the intelligent key 3 via the indoor antenna 2, and when the intelligent key 3 receives an ID request from the intelligent key control unit 1, the intelligent key 3 transmits the ID information registered in advance. The intelligent key control unit 1 receives the ID information transmitted from the intelligent key 3 via the indoor antenna 2.

A steering lock unit 4 equipped with an ignition knob 4A is connected to the intelligent key control unit 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the steering lock unit 4 fixes the ignition knob 4A to the LOCK position by a lock signal from the intelligent key control unit 1 when the ignition knob 4A is in the LOCK position. The steering wheel (not shown) is mechanically locked when the ignition knob 4A is in the LOCK position. Further, the ignition knob 4A is provided with a mechanical key insertion port 4B for inserting a mechanical key (not shown).

Returning to FIG. 1, the steering lock unit 4 has an ignition knob signal that is turned on when the ignition knob 4A is pressed, and a key insertion signal that is turned on when the mechanical key is inserted into the mechanical key insertion slot 4B. Is output to the intelligent key control unit 1.

The intelligent key control unit 1 is connected to a starter inhibitor relay 7 that switches the power supply of the starter motor 8 that starts the engine (not shown) on and off. Further, the starter inhibitor relay 7 includes a key switch 5 that is turned on when the ignition knob 4A is in the START position, and an inhibitor switch 6 that is turned on when the shift position of the AT device 10 described later is in the N range or P range. And are connected. Therefore, the starter inhibitor relay 7 is used when the inhibitor switch 6 is in the ON state, when the ignition knob 4A is in the START position, and when an operation signal for operating the starter motor 8 is output from the intelligent key control unit 1. It is turned on and the starter motor 8 is started.

A vehicle speed sensor 9 that detects the speed of the vehicle is connected to the intelligent key control unit 1, and the vehicle speed signal detected by the vehicle speed sensor 9 is output to the intelligent key control unit 1. Further, the engine control unit 12 that controls the engine is connected to the intelligent key control unit 1, and an engine status signal for notifying that the engine is starting is output to the intelligent key control unit 1.

The AT device 10 having a shift lock function and the parking brake 11 having a parking lock function are connected to the intelligent key control unit 1. The AT device 10 outputs a P range signal when the shift position is in the P range, and fixes the shift lever 10A to the P range position by the shift lock signal from the intelligent key control unit 1. Further, the parking brake 11 outputs a parking signal when the parking brake is applied (parking brake operating state), and keeps the parking brake pulled (operating state) by the parking brake lock signal from the intelligent key control unit 1. (Leave) Fix.

Next, the operation of each part in this embodiment will be described. To start the engine by the intelligent key system, when the ignition knob 4A is pressed by the occupant carrying the intelligent key 3, the intelligent key control unit 1 sends an ID request signal to the intelligent key 3 and returns from the intelligent key 3. The ID information is collated, and if the collation result is OK, a release signal for releasing the fixation of the ignition knob 4A is output instead of the lock signal output to the steering lock unit 4. As a result, the ignition knob 4A is released from being fixed, and the occupant can turn the ignition knob 4A.

In addition, the intelligent key control unit 1 outputs an operation signal for operating the starter motor 8 to the starter inhibitor relay 7 at the same time when the collation result of the ID information is OK, so that the occupant turns the ignition knob 4A to the START position. The starter motor 8 rotates and the engine starts. When the shift position of the AT device 10 is other than the P range or the N range, the inhibitor switch 6 is not turned on, so the starter inhibitor relay 7 is not turned on and the starter motor 8 does not operate.

The intelligent key control unit 1 periodically makes an ID request to the intelligent key 3 even after the engine is started, collates the ID information returned by the intelligent key 3, and the intelligent key 3 exists in the vehicle. Whether or not to do so, that is, whether or not the occupant carrying the intelligent key 3 is in the vehicle is determined. This is because of the nature of the intelligent key 3 that it is not necessary to insert the intelligent key 3 into the vehicle as in the conventional mechanical key, the occupant may leave the vehicle with the intelligent key 3 carried while the engine is running. Therefore, by collating the ID information of the intelligent key 3, it is determined whether or not the occupant is on board, and when the occupant is not on board, the anti-theft function in the present embodiment is activated.

Next, the operation of the intelligent key control unit will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of processing performed by the intelligent key control unit. The intelligent key control unit 1 shall execute this process every 10 seconds, for example. In step 300, the intelligent key control unit 1 determines whether or not the mechanical key is inserted into the mechanical key insertion slot 4B of the steering lock unit 4 based on the key insertion signal. If a mechanical key has been inserted, this process ends. At the end of this process, the shift lock of the AT device 10 and the lock of the parking brake 11 are released in step 309.

In step 301, the intelligent key control unit 1 determines whether or not the engine is operating from the engine status signal input from the engine control unit 12. If the engine is not operating, in step 309, the shift lock of the AT device 10 and the parking brake 11 are released, and this control is terminated. If the engine is operating, in step 302, it is determined from the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 9 whether or not the vehicle is stopped. If the vehicle is not stopped, that is, if the speed of the vehicle is not 0 km / h, the process proceeds to step 309 and the present process is terminated.

On the other hand, when the vehicle is stopped, in step 303, the intelligent key control unit 1 transmits an ID request signal to the intelligent key 3 via the indoor antenna 2 to make an ID request, and in step 304, the intelligent key 3 starts. Check the transmitted ID information. If the collation result of the ID information is OK, the process proceeds to step 309 and the present process is terminated. If the collation result of the ID information is NG, the process proceeds to step 305.

In step 305, the intelligent key control unit 1 determines whether or not the shift position of the AT device 10 is in the P range from the P range signal transmitted from the AT device 10, and if it is not in the P range, proceeds to step 307. .. On the other hand, in the case of the P range, the intelligent key control unit 1 outputs a shift lock signal to the AT device 10 in step 306. As a result, the AT device 10 fixes the shift lever 10A in the P range position.

Here, the fixed operation of the shift lever 10A performed by the AT device 10 will be described. Figure 4 shows the configuration for realizing the fixed operation of the shift lever 10A performed by the AT device. The brake switch 13, which is turned on when the brake pedal of the vehicle is depressed, is connected to the AT device 10 via the shift lock relay 14. The shift lock relay 14 is for controlling the shift lock by the intelligent key control unit 1. The AT device 10 is provided with a park switch 15 and a shift lock solenoid 16 inside, and the shift lock is released when the shift lock solenoid 16 is energized.

Normally, the shift lock relay 14 is in the ON state (shift lock release) because the shift lock signal is not output from the intelligent key control unit 1. When the occupant moves the shift lever 10A from the P range to another range, the brake pedal is depressed and the park switch 15 is pressed. Therefore, when the shift lock solenoid 16 is energized, the shift lock is released and the shift lever 10A is released. The operation becomes possible.

On the other hand, when the shift lever 10A of the AT device 10 is in the P range (the park switch 15 is in the off state) and the shift lock signal is output from the intelligent key control unit 1, the shift lock relay 14 is in the off state. Since the shift lock solenoid 16 of the AT device 10 is de-energized, the shift lever 10A of the AT device 10 is fixed to the P range, and shift lock can be realized.

Returning to FIG. 3, in step 307, the intelligent key control unit 1 determines whether or not the parking brake (PKB) is operating from the parking signal from the parking brake 11, and if the parking brake is not operating, the step At 309, the shift lock is released and this process ends. On the other hand, when the parking brake 11 is operating, the intelligent key control unit 1 outputs a parking brake lock signal to the parking brake 11 in step 308 to end this process. As a result, the parking brake 11 is in the parking brake locked state in which the parking brake is fixed in the operating state.

Assuming that the occupant sets the shift lever 10A to the P range, pulls the parking brake, and leaves the vehicle with the intelligent key 3 while the vehicle is stopped and the engine is running by the above processing. The signals output in steps 306 and 308 lock the shift lock and the parking brake. As a result, the engine of the vehicle is operating, but the vehicle cannot be moved.

Further, when an occupant carrying the intelligent key 3 gets into the vehicle, the shift lock and the parking brake are unlocked in step 309, and the vehicle can be moved. In the present embodiment, the intelligent key 3 constitutes the portable device according to the present invention, and the intelligent key control unit 1 constitutes the in-vehicle device according to the present invention. Further, steps 303 and 304 constitute the portable device presence determination means in the present invention, and steps 306 and 308 constitute the operation prohibition means in the present invention.

This embodiment is configured as described above, with the vehicle stopped and the engine running, the occupant sets the shift lever 10A to the P range, pulls the parking brake, and holds the intelligent key 3. When the vehicle leaves the vehicle, the AT device 10 shift locks according to the instruction from the intelligent key control unit 1, and the parking brake 11 further locks the parking brake in the operating state. As a result, although the engine of the vehicle is in the operating state, the shift lock and the parking brake are locked, so that the vehicle cannot be moved by a person other than the occupant who possesses the intelligent key 3. Anti-theft performance is improved. This is effective, for example, when the occupant leaves the vehicle for a short time to go to a shop or the like while the vehicle is heated in a cold area.

If the shift lever 10A of the AT device 10 is not in the P range, only the parking brake is locked and the vehicle cannot move. Further, when an occupant carrying the intelligent key 3 gets into the vehicle, the shift lock is automatically released and the parking brake is unlocked, so that the vehicle can be moved.

Further, if the battery of the intelligent key 3 runs out while the vehicle is running, the intelligent key control unit 1 determines in step 302 whether the vehicle speed is 0 km / h, and if it is 0 km / h. Since the shift lock and the parking brake are locked only to the vehicle, the shift lock and the parking brake are not locked while the vehicle is running. If the shift lock and parking brake are locked while the battery of the intelligent key 3 is dead, the shift lock and parking brake are unlocked by using the mechanical key, and normal driving is possible. It will be possible.

Further, in this embodiment, the shift lock and the parking brake are locked as a means for making the vehicle impossible to move, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the steering is locked, the door is locked, and the parking brake is unlocked. By controlling the lock, if the occupant leaves the vehicle with the intelligent key 3, the door can be locked, and the door can be unlocked when the occupant carrying the intelligent key 3 approaches the vehicle. ..

Alternatively, the shift lock release and the parking brake unlocking performed when the occupant carrying the intelligent key 3 gets into the vehicle are released in step 309 of the process executed by the intelligent key control unit 1 at predetermined time intervals. However, assuming that the occupant who got into the vehicle moves the vehicle immediately, the intelligent key control unit 1 determines whether or not the brake pedal is depressed, and when the brake pedal is depressed, The above processing may be performed. As a result, the shift lock and the parking brake can be quickly released from the locked state of the shift lock and the parking brake, and the vehicle can be made movable.

Further, in this embodiment, the shift lock or the parking brake is locked when the shift position is in the P range, but the parking brake may be locked even in the case of the N range. As a result, the parking brake is locked even when the occupant leaves the vehicle while the shift position of the AT device 10 is in the N range, and the anti-theft performance of the vehicle can be improved.

In addition, when the ID information cannot be collated due to the battery of the intelligent key 3 running out or malfunctioning while the vehicle is running, for example, when the vehicle is stopped due to a red light or the like, the engine is operating and the vehicle speed. The parking brake will be locked when the condition of 0km / h is satisfied. In order to prevent this, for example, a door sensor that detects the opening and closing of the vehicle door is provided, and the intelligent key control unit 1 performs a condition that the shift lock and the parking brake are locked when the door is opened and closed. By adding to, the shift lock and parking brake lock as an anti-theft function are not performed even though the occupant is in the vehicle.

<figref num="1">It is a figure which shows the whole structure of an Example.</figref><figref num="2">It is a figure which shows the structure of the ignition knob.</figref><figref num="3">It is a figure which shows the flow of the process performed by an intelligent key control unit.</figref><figref num="4">It is a figure which shows the structure for realizing the shift lock function.</figref>

Code description

1 Intelligent key control unit 2 Indoor antenna 3 Intelligent key 4 Steering lock unit 4A Ignition knob 4B Mechanical key insertion slot 5 Key switch 6 Inhibitor switch 7 Starter Inhibitor relay 8 Starter motor 9 Vehicle speed sensor 10 AT device 10A Shift lever 11 Parking brake 12 Engine Control unit 13 Brake switch 14 Shift lock relay 15 Park switch 16 Shift lock solenoid